The Green Mummy - Page 27/191

"I don't know. I wish I did; I'd have him arrested for neglecting to

watch over this case. As it is, when he comes back I'll dismiss him from

my employment. He can go back to his infernal laundry work along with

his old witch of a mother."

"But why hasn't Bolton come back, sir?" asked Hope sharply.

Braddock struck a furious blow at the head of the chisel which he had

inserted into the case.

"I want to know that. He brought the case to the Sailor's Rest, and

should have come on with it this morning. Instead of doing so, he tells

the landlord--a most unreliable man--to send it on. And my precious

mummy--the mummy that has cost nine hundred pounds," cried Braddock,

working furiously, and battering the chisel as though it were Bolton's

head, "is left to be stolen by any scientific thief that comes along."

While the Professor, assisted by Cockatoo, loosened the lid of the

packing case, a mild voice was heard at the door. Lucy turned, as did

Archie, to see Widow Anne curtseying on the threshold of the door.

Braddock himself took no notice of her entrance, being occupied with his

task, and even while doing it swore scientifically under his breath.

He was furious against Bolton for neglect of duty, and Hope rather

sympathized with him. It was a serious matter to have left a valuable

object like the green mummy to the rough care of laborers.

"I beg your pardon, my lady," whimpered Widow Anne, who looked more lean

and rusty and dismal than ever; "but has my Sid come? I saw the cart and

the coffin. Where's my boy?"

"Coffin! coffin!" bellowed Braddock angrily between thunder blows. "What

do you mean by calling this case a coffin?"

"Well, it do hold one of them camphorated corps, sir," said Mrs. Bolton

with another curtsey. "My boy Sid told me as much, afore he went to them

furren parts."

"Have you seen him since he returned?" questioned Lucy, while Braddock

and Cockatoo strained at the lid, now nearly off.

"Why, I ain't set eyes on him," moaned the widow dismally, "and summat

tells me as I never will."

"Don't talk rubbish, woman," said Archie tartly, for he did not wish

Lucy to be upset again by this ancient ghoul.

"Woman indeed, sir. I'd have you know,--oh!" the widow jumped and

quavered as the lid of the packing case fell on the floor with a bang.

"Oh lor, sir, the start you did give me!"

But Braddock had no eyes for her, and no ears for anyone. He pulled

lustily at the straw packing, and soon the floor was littered with

rubbish. But no green case appeared, and no mummy. Suddenly Widow Anne

shrieked again.

"There's my Sid--dead--oh, my son, dead! dead!"